John Questebrune AMsS
A Short Introduction to Natural Philosophy
1718-1720
(1 vol. (122p.))

500 Q3

© American Philosophical Society
105 South Fifth Street * Philadelphia, PA 19106-3386
 American Philosophical Society 105 South Fifth Street Philadelphia, PA 19106-3386
Table of contents Abstract
A compendium of natural philosophical knowledge, written in 1718-1720 by John Questebrune, chaplain to the 6th Earl of Galway. The chapters treat the various parts of the physical world (earth, water, air, and fire), plants (including a great deal on medicinal plants), animals, and the human body and soul. The volume is embellished with decorative chapter headings and pen and ink and watercolor sketches depicting the terrestrial globe, the Ptolemaic and Copernican solar systems, the phases of the moon, and the human body in dissection.
Background note
Title page of Questebrune's A Short Introduction to Natural Philosophy
Title page of Questebrune's
A Short Introduction to Natural Philosophy

John Questebrune, a graduate of Dublin College, was domestic chaplain to the 6th Earl of Galway during the first half of the 18th century. The name Questebrune is listed among Huguenot refugees in England and Ireland.


Scope and content
John Questebrune's Short Introduction to Natural Philosophy, 1718-1720, is distinguished by the relatively equal weight given to discussions of the physical and the animal world. Beginning with a standard analysis of the elements, motion, the earth and solar system, working within the four elements of earth, water, air, and fire, Questebrune proceeds to a detailed description of medicinal plants, animals, the human body, diseases, and therapeutics.

Written in Kilkenny, Ireland, between 1718 and 1720, the manuscript was subsequently owned by William Hamilton of the Woodlands, an Irish-born Philadelphian who had dual interests in the natural sciences and the Irish community. The manuscript is embellished with decorative sketches opening each of the seven chapters, as well as pen and ink and watercolor illustrations depicting the terrestrial globe, the Ptolemaic and Copernican solar systems, the phases of the moon, and the human body in dissection.

Questebrune's lengthy chapter on the medicinal uses of plants focuses on the "severall vertues" of plants and their "medicinal vertues," with minor commentary on their cultivation, and particularly of coffee, tea, and chocolate. His treatment of animals is more eclectic, and less detailed, but includes a valuable discussion of reptiles.

Perhaps the most important part of the Questebrune volume is his extensive discussion of the human body and its relations. Making reference to Paracelsus and occult philosophy, Questebrune provides a verbal dissection of the body (with an illustration to accompany), an analysis of conception and reproduction, and a fascinating discussion of sympathetic theory. In his treatment of diseases he provides receipts for "l'ongent divin," a "magnetick arsenical preservative from all Contagions even the Plague," "wound water," and digestives.

Administrative information
Restrictions
None.

Provenance
Gift of J. Francis Fisher, 1834.

Custodial history:
The Questeburne manuscript bears the bookplate and an ownership inscription of William Hamilton (of the Woodlands, Philadelphia), 1785. A native of Ireland, Hamilton had strong interests in the natural sciences and in Ireland.

Preferred citation
Cite as: John Questebrune, A Short Introduction to Natural Philosophy, American Philosophical Society.

Processing information
Catalogued by rsc, 2001.

Additional information
Related material
The APS houses several other treatises on early modern natural philosophy, including Charles Morton's "System of Physicks", (New England, ca.1700), David Evans' "Aliquot Rudimenta Philosophiae" (written in New Jersey in 1747), Joseph François Marie's Philosopiae Quarta Pars Seu Phisica, and an unidentified Italian treatise from the early 18th century.

Added entries
Subjects
  • Anatomy--18th century
  • Astronomy--18th century
  • Botany--18th century
  • Chocolate
  • Coffee
  • Conception--Early works to 1800
  • Death
  • Diseases
  • Medicinal plants
  • Mineralogy--18th century
  • Natural history--18th century
  • Occultism--Early works to 1900
  • Physics--Ireland--Early works to 1800
  • Religion and science
  • Sympathy
  • Tea

    • Contributors
  • Fisher, Joshua Francis, 1807-1873
  • Hamilton, William, 1745-1813
  • Questebrune, John

    		•
    Contact information
    American Philosophical Society
    105 South Fifth Street
    Philadelphia, PA 19106-3386

    [http://www.amphilsoc.org/]

    ©2001


    Detailed inventory

    		 Preliminary discourse p.1



    		Chapter 1. Philosophical dissertation... the Terraqueous Globe and of the Elements that Compose it p.9



    		Of the Elements, & Properties of Bodies p.11



    		Of Minerals & Mineral Juices p.13



    		Of the 2nd Element, or Water p.19



    		Of the third Element or Air p.25



    		Of the fourth Element or Fire p.31



    		Chapter 2. Philosophical dissertation...Of the Sphere, and of the Motion of the Celestial Bodies, p.33



    		Chapter 3. Philosophical dissertation... Of Planes & Medecinal Herbs p.47



    		Chapter 4. Philosophical dissertation... Of Animals, viz. Quadrupeds, Birds, Fishes, Reptiles & Insetcs, p.63



    		Chapter 5. Philosophical dissertation... Of Humane Bodies, or a Short Compendium of Anatomy, collected out of the best modern anthropologists, p.71



    		Appendix to the Precedent Sections of Occult Philosophy, or some Remarks on Magnetic Oyntment, Powder of Sympathy, & Philtres, p.91



    		Appendix to the Precedent Sections Some Anatomical Questions Stated & Resolved, p.93



    		Chapter 6. Philosophical dissertation... Of the Diseases Incident to Humane Bodies, p.99



    		Chapter 7. Philosophical dissertation... Of the reasonable soul, p.113